Jeremy Bowen was appointed to the newly-created role of Middle East Editor in June 2005.

The new role is designed to enhance our audience's understanding of the Middle East; and to provide extra commentary, focus and analysis to an increasingly complex area of the world.

In order to provide a broader perspective on wider Middle East issues, Jeremy will be based in the World Affairs Unit in London, but will travel extensively throughout the region.

Jeremy had been a special correspondent for BBC Television News since March 2003, including his most recent assignment in Rome.

He previously co-presented BBC One's Breakfast for two years after its launch in October 2000.

Jeremy joined the BBC in 1984 as news trainee. He then spent spells in the Radio Newsroom and as a Television News correspondent before becoming Geneva correspondent for Radio News in 1987.

As a seasoned war correspondent, he has reported from more than 70 countries, covering conflicts in the Gulf, El Salvador, Lebanon, the West Bank, Afghanistan, Croatia, Bosnia, Chechnya, Somalia and Rwanda.

Jeremy became the Middle East correspondent in 1995 and won Best News Correspondent at the New York Television Festival.